China vows ongoing support to resolve euro crisis

China's Premier Wen Jiabao make a speech during the European Union-China summit at the Egmont Palace in Brussels on Sept 20, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BRUSSELS (AFP) - China pledged continued assistance on Thursday to help tackle the euro zone debt crisis, saying Europe was "on the right track" but needed to implement the measures agreed to fix its problems.

Premier Wen Jiabao told European Union (EU) and Chinese business leaders that Beijing had continued purchases of European government bonds in recent months and discussed cooperation with the new euro zone rescue fund, the European Stability Mechanism (ESM).

As the 500-billion-euro (S$798 billion) ESM becomes operational next month, "China will continue to play its part in helping resolve the European debt issue through appropriate channels," Mr Wen said.

"Europe is on the right track in tackling its debt issue... What is crucial now is to fully implement the policies agreed" to put it on firmer ground, he told the meeting, held alongside the annual European Union-China summit.